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Cast trailing arm assembly for trailer suspension

a technology of trailing arm and trailer, which is applied in the direction of resilient suspension, vehicle spring, interconnection system, etc., can solve the problems of joint failure, premature cracking, and expensive welding operation to attach these pieces together, and achieves less components, less expensive and time-consuming assembly, and high strength.

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-06-01
ARVINMERITOR TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a lightweight and strong trailing arm assembly with fewer components, which is cheaper and easier to assemble than previous designs. It includes a first axle wrap, a second axle wrap, and a bushing tube. The first axle wrap has a first window weld area and a spring seat, while the second axle wrap has a second window weld area and a bushing receiver portion. The bushing tube is welded to the second axle wrap. The arm body of the second axle wrap has a box-shaped structure with an upper wall, a lower wall, and inboard and outboard side walls. The first window weld is formed in the inboard portion, and the second window weld is formed in the outboard portion. The second axle wrap also has a shock absorber side mount portion with a bore that extends through the arm body and a fastener that fastens the arm body to a shock absorber. Overall, this design provides a lightweight, strong, and cost-effective solution for suspension systems.

Problems solved by technology

Performing the welding operations to attach these pieces together is an expensive and time-consuming process.
Improperly welded joints can result in premature cracking and joint failure due to shock loads or overloading.

Method used

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  • Cast trailing arm assembly for trailer suspension
  • Cast trailing arm assembly for trailer suspension
  • Cast trailing arm assembly for trailer suspension

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0027]An axle assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The axle assembly includes an axle beam 12 extending laterally between a pair of wheel ends 14. The axle beam 12 defines a lateral axis of rotation 16. The wheel ends 14 support tires (not shown) that rotate about the lateral axis of rotation 16.

[0028]The subject invention provides a suspension assembly, shown generally at 18, that includes a pair of unique trailing arms 20 that are laterally spaced apart from each other. Each trailing arm 20 includes a first end 22 that is pivotally connected to a vehicle frame member 24 with a connector assembly 26, and a second end 28 that supports a suspension component 30.

[0029]In one example, the axle beam 12 is a tube for a trailer axle assembly, however, it should be understood that the suspension assembly 18 with the unique trailing arms 20 could also benefit suspensions for other axles such as drive or non-drive steer axles, single drive axles, tandem drive axles, tag axles, etc. When used with...

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PUM

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Abstract

A trailing arm assembly for a suspension includes first and second axle wraps. The first and second axle wraps are welded to each other to substantially surround an outer perimeter of an axle member. The first axle wrap is then welded to one side of the axle member at a first weld area and the second axle wrap is welded to an opposite side of the axle member at a second weld area. The first axle wrap includes a spring seat and the second axle wrap includes an arm body with a bushing receiver portion at one arm end. A bushing tube attached to the bushing receiver portion. The first weld area comprises a single window weld and the second weld area comprises first and second window welds that are positioned on opposing sides of the arm body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 016,297, filed Dec. 17, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,774, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 916,127 filed Aug. 11, 2004.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The subject invention relates to a trailing arm assembly for a suspension that includes two cast components that are welded to an axle member and a bushing tube that is supported by one of the cast components.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A suspension system includes a pair of trailing arm assemblies that are attached to an axle beam member. One trailing arm assembly is positioned near one end of the axle beam member, and another trailing arm assembly is positioned near an opposite end of the axle beam member. The trailing arm assemblies are pivotally connected to a vehicle frame member at a first end and support air springs at a second end. The trailing arm assemblies are attached to the axle beam member at a po...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B60G7/00
CPCB60G7/001B60G9/003B60G11/28B60G2200/31B60G2202/152B60G2206/8201B60G2204/143B60G2206/31B60G2206/601B60G2206/8101B60G2204/126
Inventor SAIEG, STEVEN GEORGEHOLT, CRAIG ALLEN
Owner ARVINMERITOR TECH
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